The hotels near stonehenge are also close to other interesting nearby attractions. One of these is the Museum of the Iron Age. Here, visitors get to learn about the Danebury hillfort, which is a 2,500 year old product of the iron age that was excavated from 1969 to 1988. What is nice for those who are traveling with their pets is that dogs are welcome at this attraction.
Another close attraction is the Museum of Army Flying. This museum chronicles the history of aviation over the past 100 years. It covers the beginning of man’s learning to fly, including balloons, kites, and airships. It has a section covering the Royal Air Corps. Of course, there are actual aircraft on display, and visitors get to try taking over the controls in several flight simulators. The museum hosts groups of schoolchildren, and is an educational effort focused on outreach.
Fans of the popular television show Downton Abbey will love staying at hotels near stonehenge that are close enough for them to visit Highclere Castle, which is the setting for the programme. This is a Victorian castle that accepts visits from members of the public at various times. Rooms in the castle include the saloon, dining room, library, music room, drawing room, and smoking room. Visitors are allowed to view some of the 11 bedrooms upstairs. Downstairs, in the cellar, in what was formerly the staff area, the castle has been converted to an Egyptian Exhibition display. For hundreds of years, the castle has been in the Carnarvon family, and at one time, the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, discovered Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922. Today, the 8th Earl and his wife have set up the exhibition of his Egyptian artifacts. The castle and grounds are not always open to the public, but they do have a website so that visitors can check ahead of time so they can plan their travel accordingly.
Other visitors may like auto racing for a fast change of pace, and they’ll love to visit the Thruxton Motorsport Centre. The centre offers visitors the chance to get behind the wheel of a real race car, in models from Lamborghini, Audi, Porsche, Aston Martin, and more, and take it around the track.